Final Exams

Exam Software

Exam Schedule

Before the Exams

Your exam number will be emailed to you, but is also available in the Gorsche Student Services Suite in Cartwright Hall and will be on your exam packet. This is the only number you should place on your exams. All students receive a new exam number each semester. Do not guess your exam number. Do not use an exam number from a previous semester.

Students must fill out the exam survey in order to sit for exams. The survey requires you to acknowledge you are bound by the honor code and to provide a cell phone number at which you can be reached during the exam period.

ExamSoft users must be using a laptop configured to connect to the wireless network. Loaner laptops are not available for exams.

Chromebooks, Android tables, and iPads cannot be used to take a test. Microsoft Surface Pro/Book are capable since they run Windows 10.

Non-JD students who believe they may qualify for ESL (English as a Second Language) accommodations should contact Dean Lee-Schneider.

ADA (Americans with Disability Act) accommodations require approval from the Student Disability Services Coordinator, Michelle Laughlin (515-271-1835). Accommodations must be renewed each semester. Final arrangements for all accommodations must be made two weeks before the beginning of the final examination period or a midterm.

If you have a known illness that prevents you from taking your exams as scheduled, prior to the exam period, you must make arrangements with Dean Lee-Schneider.

If you have an illness or other emergency the day of the exam that prevents you from taking the exam, call the main Law School line (515-271-2824, option 3) after 8:00 a.m. A doctor's excuse will be required before exams will be rescheduled.

General Exam Rules

NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES MAY BE USED (other than your exam computer—loaner laptops are not available during exams). No device capable of recording, transmitting, or otherwise interfering with the exam may be used, including cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, cameras, digital or tape recorders, smart watches, or any similar devices.

Because of the possibility of information being accessible through earphones, no personal stereos or earphones will be allowed during any exam.

When taking an exam, backpacks, bookbags, purses, or scratch paper (other than what is provided), may NOT be at the table with you during the exam. These must be left in your locker or placed to the front of the exam room. Students may not begin to write anything, even on scratch paper, before an exam begins.

Exam supplies such as scratch paper and Blue Books for those hand writing the exams are provided in the exam rooms.

To preserve exam anonymity, at no time should a student inform a professor of a problem related to the taking of an exam. If you have any exam administration issues you wish to discuss, including serious illness or death in the family, contact Dean Lee-Schneider.

All students are bound by the honor code. Because the student body polices itself, it is imperative that all students review the Drake Law School Code of Student Conduct. Camera and in person proctoring will be used to monitor and record exam sessions.

All students taking an in-school exam on a laptop must use ExamSoft software. Loaner laptops are not available during exams.

Earplugs may be offered during your exam, with no gaurantee. Students may bring non-transmitting ear plugs of their own.

Students are advised to switch to bluebook in the case of computer malfunction. If a student wishes to attempt to restart their computer and re-launch Examplify and can do so successfully, they will be allowed to type their exam until the expiration of the embedded timer. Students who switch to bluebook mid-exam will receive 10 additional minutes to complete their exam.

No outerwear, hats, hoods or sunglasses are permitted during exams. Students may dress in layers to allow comfort during exams.

Exam Procedures

In order to provide the best possible exam environment for students and ensure the integrity of the exam process, the following administrative rules are in effect. All law students are responsible for knowing and understanding the exam process rules and how they apply to their individual exam schedules.

Students are expected to arrive on time, 8:15 - 8:45 a.m., to be processed for exams. Because of the need for staff to give a uniform set of instructions to all students, and the time it takes for students to check in, receive their exams, get settled, start Examplify, and receive technical support, students must be seated in the exam room with their exam packets at least 15 minutes before the time set for the exam to start (8:45). Students that do not arrive by 8:45 a.m. may not be permitted to sit for the exam.

Administrative staff priorities will be directed toward the majority of students who arrive on time and are seated in the exam rooms awaiting exam instructions and technical support for ExamSoft.

Flex Exams

Unscheduled (flex) exams may be taken on any day designated as "FLEX" on the exam schedule. No advance notice is required. All unscheduled exams are ready for students beginning on the first flex day of exams.

Examination Distribution Procedure

In order to allow sufficient time for processing, students must pick up exam packets at the top of the stairs in Cartwright Hall between 8:15 and 8:45 a.m.

Exam time lost in processing a tardy student will not be restored. This rule will be strictly enforced.

Flex Exams: students taking a flex exam who are not in line by 8:45 a.m. will not be permitted to take the exam that day and will need to take the exam on another flex day.

Non-flex Exams: students who are late for the distribution time for a non-flex exam—8:45 a.m.—will be required to wait until after the exam begins to receive their exam. Students may be required to sit at the front of the exam room in reserved seating in order to minimize the disruption of the exam in progress.

The assistant dean has the authority to vary exam procedures for students with ADA accommodations, student illness, or unforeseen circumstances such as extreme inclement weather. Foreseeable circumstances such as heavy traffic or other normal and/or seasonal driving conditions will not cause a waiver of exam rules regarding tardy students. Late students will be tracked on an attendance sheet and that history will be reviewed when determining any future accommodations.

Exam Packet

The outside of the exam envelope bears a label with course title, professor name, length of exam, and your exam number. During the specified distribution time, students will receive exam packets containing a hard copy of exam questions. Do not open the exam envelope until instructed to do so by the exam administrator.

Exam Rooms

Flex ExamsOnce you receive your exam packet, immediately proceed to the designated exam room. Exam rooms are preassigned according to the length of the exam, as indicated on the hallway television monitors. Length of the exam is located on your envelope label. Do not leave the second floor of Cartwright Hall once you receive your exam. Students must take flex exams only in rooms to which they have been assigned.

2L and 3L Scheduled ExamsOnce you receive your exam packet, immediately proceed to the exam room designated by the administrator. Do not leave the second floor of Cartwright Hall.

1L Scheduled ExamsOnce you receive your exam packet, immediately proceed to the exam room designated. Exam rooms are preassigned and listed on the television monitors. Do not leave the second floor of Cartwright Hall.

Exam Instructions (Spring 2019)

All electronic devices are banned during this exam. Turn off and store these items in your backpack.

Please place your bags, backpacks, coats/jackets, hats/hoods and purses at the front of the room.

Your exam end time is written on the board. We will call time to end the exam.

If you are using Examplify, you will be automatically exited at the completion of your exam.

Remember you are bound by the Honor Code. Do not discuss any exam with any student at any time.

Only use the paper provided as scratch paper. Do not use blue books as scratch paper.

Writers, number your books 1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3, etc. Write your exam number on every blue book you use. Do not write your name on your blue books.

If you have any questions or if you need tech support during your exam, please go to room 202.

If you're using Examplify and you experience computer malfuctions during the exam, you are not allowed to switch to another computer. If you are able to restart your computer, Examplify will pause your time and you will be given the time remaining.

If you choose to not restart your computer, and not lose time, start using a blue book, as there may not IT assistance immediately available.

Once you're done, you must report to the exam coordinator in room 202 that you switched to handwriting during your exam.

Be sure to upload your exam. After your computer closes out of Examplify, wait for the upload confirmation, make sure you receive confirmation of upload on your screen. Do not close your laptop until you have seen the green check mark. If your exam does not upload, the exam coordinator will contact to complete the process.

When you complete your exam, place all materials, including used scratch paper, back in your envelope, seal it, and put it in the completed exam box at the front of the room.

If you complete your exam early, be courteous, pack up and leave quietly.

Do not start your exam until instructed to do so.

You may now open your envelope, write your exam number on the exam itself and read your exam instructions. Do not write your name on your exam.

You may now enter the exam by clicking the green button.

Start of an Exam

The exam administrator will leave the room after the exam has been officially started. Any student who has a question or problem during an exam should go to Cartwright 202.

Roving proctors may occasionally sweep the exam rooms during the exam administration.

Cameras in the exam areas will be running at all times.

Students may go to the restroom or take a break during an exam; however, all exam materials must be left in the exam room. Laptop users should also click "View" and "Hide Screen" when leaving your seat. The clock keeps ticking during breaks—there is no adjusted length of time.

End of an Exam

If you finish your exam before time is called, place your envelope containing your exam questions and answers (Blue Books for hand writers) in the box labeled "Completed Exams" located in the front of the room. ExamSoft users must completely exit the exam and verify the upload before putting the exam envelope in the designated box.

When time has been called, you must stop writing/typing your answer, even if you are in the middle of a sentence. Failure to stop writing when time is called can result in penalties, including a failing grade for the course and possibly an honor code investigation and sanctions.

Examplify will automatically upload at the completion of the exam time.

Put your exam questions and answers and used scratch paper (Blue Books and used scratch paper for hand writers) inside your envelope and close it. If you are an ExamSoft user, you must completely exit the exam before putting your exam envelope in the box labeled "Completed Exams." ExamSoft users must verify the upload.

After placing your exam in the designated box, leave the area quickly and quietly. Students who are still taking exams deserve your consideration.

Make up Examinations

Permission to take a final exam on a date or at a time other than scheduled shall be granted only in the following circumstances:

Where illness to the student prevents taking the exam at the scheduled time and certification from a doctor is presented

Where the student has two exams scheduled at the same time or has two exams on the same day*

Where the student has final exams on three or more consecutive days*

Where taking an exam on a particular day conflicts with a religious obligation of the student*

In the discretion of the Dean's Office for extraordinary circumstances. (Air or other transportation scheduling concerns shall not constitute extraordinary circumstances.)

Students shall apply for permission to make up an exam by contacting Dean Lee-Schneider.

*Note: A student who elects to request a make-up exam under provisions (2), (3), or (4) above will be required to take the make-up exam on a scheduled make-up day selected by the assistant dean. If taking the exam on the make-up day causes the student to have exams on three or more consecutive days, provision (3) above will not be a valid basis for rescheduling one of those exams.

Exemptions (1) and (5):When exemptions are granted under provisions (1) or (5) above, the assistant dean shall schedule make-up exams as soon as practicable after the regular exam session.

Exemptions (2), (3), or (4):Exemption requests under provisions (2), (3) or (4) above shall be filed at least three weeks before the exam period starts each semester.

Make up Schedule

During the fall and spring semesters, make-up exams are scheduled at the discretion of the assistant dean.

Order of Make-up ExamsWhere two course exams are to be held the same day or at the same time, students who have a conflict will take the exam with the higher course number as their make-up exam at a date to be fixed by the assistant dean. Where the student has final exams scheduled on three or more consecutive days, the second exam in the series will be taken as the make-up exam. Every effort will be made to schedule all students taking the same make-up exam at the same time.

Early ExaminationsNo final exams may be distributed to a class (take-home exams) prior to the first day of the final examination period. Students are not permitted to take a fixed exam prior to the scheduled exam date.

Inclement Weather Procedures

Students can find out about weather delays and closures through one of the following:

The information in this publication does not constitute a contract between the University or the Law School and any other person or organization. The University and the Law School reserve the right to make changes in their curricula, policies, procedures and regulations without giving prior notice.

Drake University Law School is ABA accredited, a charter member of the AALS and a member of the Order of the Coif.